You'll Regret Growing This Gorgeous But Deadly Plant In Your Garden

Not all that glitters is gold, and not all that's green is good to grow in your garden. Monkshood, also known as wolfsbane (Aconitum spp.) is a stunning genus of plants, but because of the severity of its poison, most people should avoid growing it in their yards and gardens. It is especially risky to grow if you have children or pets, or if it's located near your vegetable garden ... where it could be mistaken for something edible.

Hardy in zones 3 through 7, there are monkshood plants native to many parts of the Northern Hemisphere, including North America, so it may grow naturally in your yard without any assistance on your part. And they're perennials, so they'll keep on coming back. 

Despite the beauty of its distinctive bluish-purple or white flowers, monkshood is just too high of a risk for most people to grow. Not only are all parts of the plant toxic, (including the roots which can look just like Jerusalem artichokes) but even just touching the plant can cause symptoms in some cases. So be sure to wear gloves while removing this tall perennial flowering plant from your garden and yard.

If you adore the flowers of monkshood, but don't want to risk growing this poisonous beauty, consider opting for Canterbury bells (Campanula medium) or tall garden phlox (Phlox paniculata) instead. While Canterbury bells are biennial instead of perennial like monkshood, they have stunning bell-shaped flowers and, like monkshood, thrive in both full sun and part shade. Hardy in zones 3 through 9, Canterbury bell care is simple enough, and the flowers come in a variety of colors, including the purplish-blue color monkshoods are known for.

Another great nontoxic substitute is tall garden phlox. Garden phlox, like monkshood, is perennial and flourishes in full sun and part shade. Phlox plants are easy to care for, too. Garden phlox is hardy in zones 4 through 8, making it a great option for much of the United States. Even better, phlox's beautiful flowers come in a range of colors, including pinks, purples, and whites. Considering all the safer and equally beautiful plants out there, there's no reason to keep growing dangerous monkshood in your yard.